Recital 2026: Hair, Makeup, & Costume Guidelines
Finale Outfit
All dancers will participate in the finale, but they must be wearing the finale outfit.
- Top: Finale t-shirt
- Bottom:
- Grades 1–12: Black shorts, leggings, or athletic pants
- Combo & Intro dancers: None – Finale shirt worn over costume
- Shoes: Jazz or ballet (tap-only dancers may be barefoot)
Hair
We do not require a specific hairstyle for each class for the recital (unless you are a competition dancer). We do however ask that bangs and hair be pulled off of the face. Have fun styling your dancer’s hair: curls, updos, glitter, etc. are fine. If a hair accessory came with the costume, it should be worn on the student's left side.
Makeup
We recommend the following makeup on Recital Day. Please use discretion with how much you apply in relation to the age of your child.
- Foundation: Older dancers should apply a color that matches their skin tone to the entire face including eyelids. Blend well, especially at the chin and neck. This helps your makeup to stay in place during the show.
- Blush: Apply under the cheekbone. Place two fingers next to the nose and apply blush from this point back to the hairline.
- Lipstick: Line lips with a lip liner pencil and fill in with lipstick. Blot gently without rubbing lips together. Add a dot of gloss in the center of the bottom lip.
- Eyeliner: Use black or dark brown pencil at the base of the lash line on the outer 2/3rds of the eye. On older dancers, you can extend the line past the outer corner of the eye just a little bit.
- Mascara: Use black mascara on the upper eyelashes. Please apply more than one coat. False eyelashes are always encouraged on older dancers and really make their eyes open up!
- Eye Shadow: Use warm colors such as brown or dark gray (not blue) in the crease of the eyelid. Use light cream on the brow bone and the inside corner of the eye. Blend well!
- Powder: A dusting of skin-colored powder over the face sets the makeup and reduces shine.
Undergarments & Tights
- Tights are required under all costumes, including pants
- No underwear under tights
- Nude/tan bras or leotards permitted if needed
Be sure to have your dancer try their dance in their costume at home so you can secure any places the costume doesn’t stay put. Check for shirts that ride up and expose the midriff, pants that don’t stay up over slippery tights, and bras that peek out. We don’t want any costume malfunctions on the day of the show!